The hospital doors burst open as the Denovan family rushed inside. Mr. Denovan led the way, his face pale and tense, while Mrs. Denovan clutched her chest, struggling to breathe from panic. Elias held Maya tightly by the arm because she could barely walk—her legs were trembling so much she kept stumbling.

Daniel ran ahead of everyone, shouting, “Where is my son?! Where is Jamie?!”

A nurse stepped forward immediately, already expecting them. “You must be the family. Please, follow me.”

Maya’s voice cracked. “Is he alive? Please tell me he’s alive.”

The nurse’s expression softened, but her eyes remained serious. “He’s in surgery. He lost a lot of blood,...